Highlights
- Extensively restored with a heritage body shell
- Factory fitted V8
- Lovely car to drive
The Appeal
An icon of British motoring the MGB entered the design phase in 1962 with the first cars being built 3 years later. Originally designed as a 2-seater convertible the hard-top option was introduced in 1965 to an enthusiastic crowd of the motoring press. The GT, with its superior aerodynamics, would be able to achieve just over 100mph.
Today the MGB is one of the most recognisable classic cars on the roads, with its simple mechanics and everyday functionality it was a car well ahead of its time.
This example has been through a very thorough restoration process between 2000-2014, which was then finished by MG specialists Brown & Gammons of Baldock. The large V8 that sits under the bonnet provides a soundtrack like no other modern sports car.
The History and Paperwork
- Leaving the Abingdon factory in 1976 the first chapter of this car’s life is a bit hard to comment on
- What we know for sure is that between 2000-2014 the car underwent a restoration process using a heritage body shell (no.201038)
- In 2014 the owner at the time had fallen ill and was unable to complete the restoration, the final touches were made by Brown & Gammons in 2016
- Some of the works they completed include, a service, new battery, a fuel pump, nearside cooling fan, new front shock absorbers, new clutch master & slave cylinders, new engine mounts, new gearbox mounts, and most importantly a full course of clear waxoyl on the underside and cavities.
- When they finish the process, it is put back up for sale
- This is where the current owner steps in and purchases this car in 2016.
- The work continued with the current owner with thousands spent to get it like it sits today
- Some of these works include the following
- In 2016, a Webasto sunroof was fitted. They also fit a replacement petrol tank with fuel lines. A new oil cooler, and some discreet K&N air filters.
- In 2017, it has the all-important conversion from rubber to chrome bumpers was carried out. They also refurbish the carburettors and some more new fuel lines are added. The clear wax oil is also re-applied after the bumper conversion works.
- In 2018 the rear springs were replaced with parabolic type plus bushes provided a very nice ride. Some new wood veneer is applied to the dashboard and centre console. There are also some replacement plug leads and a new rotor arm.
- In 2019, the current owner also fitted a new windscreen and replaced the rear window rubber
- Most recently in 2021, they fit a new ignition switch, replace the front wishbone bushes and have the Carburettor rebuilt. They also source an overdrive unit, and whilst they’re there they replace the starter motor with a refurbished unit
- When the engine was out to replace the overdrive, the clutch was checked
- You will find the receipts for all of these recent works in the paperwork file, along with the V5 and MOT certificates
- Within the paperwork bundle, there is also a heritage certificate for the new body shell
- It is now time for you to get out and add to this car's history, the MG Owners Club is a very welcoming community so you will have endless hours of fun ahead of you.
The Interior
- New sunroof fitted
- The wood veneer has been replaced
- Lovely interior condition
Upon opening the door, you are met with an interior filled with character, with lovely period features such as the small steering wheel, amazing wooden veneer, and the newly installed sunroof. There should be no doubt that as soon as you get into this interior you will be beaming from ear to ear.
On the whole, the interior of this MGB GT is presented very well, if we start with the seats, we can see that they are all in very good condition, and the front two seats are void of any nasty rips or tears. The rear bench seat is also in the same sort of condition.
Set into the beautiful wood veneered dash we are met with some proper Smiths dials, these all work perfectly with no fogging to the lenses. Along with the Smiths dials, you will also find the radio that sits in the centre console, when you turn the radio on you can watch the electric aerial extend, it will then obviously retract when you turn the radio off.
Along with the four-speed manual gear stick, you will be able to locate the overdrive switch on the left hand stalk, simply pull the lever and it will engage, dropping the revs to enable more comfortable cruising.
Looking at the sometimes overlooked details of the interior, such as the carpets, headliner, and door cards we can see that these are also in good condition. The current owner did state that if they were to keep the car they may be inclined to change the door cards, but this isn’t too necessary right away.
The interior condition of this MGB GT is very good and you should have many happy miles sitting at the helm and listening to the glorious V8 soundtrack.
The Exterior
- The two-tone alloys look great
- Chrome bumper conversion
- It has been re-sprayed at some point
One of the most recognisable body shapes the MGB GT always manages to acquire a lot of attention from passers-by. Those looks could have been prompted by the striking red paint, the lovely two-tone alloys, or even the shiny chrome bumpers, whatever the reason was everyone loved to see this classic out in the sun.
As this car was fitted with a heritage bodyshell during its long restoration process the majority of the body panels are nice and straight with no paint bubbling. The current did mention that there was a small mark on the passenger door cap, but this is apparently no bigger than 10mm. There is also a small blemish on the front wing, but this is believed to be an imperfection from its respray, which is reported to not have gotten bigger during the current ownership.
Importantly, this car has been converted from the original ungainly rubber bumpers that it left the factory with. The nice and shiny chrome bumpers look amazing from every angle and really improve the look of the exterior. The rest of the trim on the exterior is also in very good condition.
Overall, the exterior condition is very good, from the new sunroof fabric to the chrome bumpers it just looks the part. It will look amazing sitting on your drive.
The Mechanics
- Factory fitted V8
- Replacement overdrive unit fitted
- Feels amazing out on the road
Back in 1976, you could get your MGB GT in two very different flavours. You could either get it with the no-nonsense 1.8l four-pot, or you could fit the flamboyant Rover V8. Luckily for you, this car left the factory with the latter, and boy does it sound amazing.
Starting with the engine condition, it is very good. It fires up well with a bit of choke and burbles away nicely. Out on the road, this engine pulls like a train through all of the gears, and when you flick it into overdrive it will cruise nicely. For such a small and light car, the V8 provides more than enough grunt to fire you down the road.
The current owner has opted to fit some parabolic bushes, although it sits a little higher because of this part, it does ride a whole lot better. On a rather British b-road it soaked up the bumps nicely with the nose raising and lowering through braking and acceleration. There were a few squeaks, but this could just be different parts bedding in still, with all the work complete and clean bill of health on the most recent MOT you would expect everything to be as it should underneath.
You will be able to have so much fun with this car, and with so much work completed to the mechanical elements during its restoration and subsequent work throughout the current ownership, it should be able to complete any task that you throw at it.
Summary
What a great example of a British classic this MGB GT V8 is, the long restoration and other mechanical works that have been completed during the most recent part of this car's history it could be one of the best examples out there at the moment.
As has been mentioned the MG Owners Club is an amazing club with many meets over the summer so why not take a road trip out with your picnic hamper in the boot to a lovely classic car meet.
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